| SEARCH |
|
|
| ICT INFORMATION |
|
|
| NEWS SERVICES |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| O'odham tell U.N. rapporteur of struggles |  Email this page  Print this page |
| Posted: October 31, 2005 |
| by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today |
| Click to Enlarge | |
|  | |
| Photo courtesy Tdelowe -- U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples Rodolfo Stavenhagen met with O'odham elders. | |
TUCSON, Ariz. - O'odham in Mexico told a U.N. representative of human rights abuses along the international border of the United States and Mexico which threaten the him'dag (the O'odham way of life) and their future generations.
The O'odham delegation from Cu:Wi I-gersk community in Mexico met with Rodolfo Stavenhagen, the U.N. rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, during a private reception.
Stavenhagen was in Tucson, along with 18 indigenous experts from around the globe, for a closed-door law seminar hosted by the University
of Arizona.
''We told him that the Border Patrol killed O'odham, have pulled weapons on our elderly and people crossing on the traditional routes,'' Rivas told Indian Country Today.
During the private meeting, traditional O'odham told Stavenhagen that they are losing land in their communities in Mexico because of encroachment by non-Indians. Further, human traffickers and drug traffickers make the elderly fear for their lives.
''The O'odham him'dag, our way of life, is at severe risk as there are more restrictions on O'odham traveling on ancestral routes to attend ceremonies and visit holy places of the O'odham,'' Rivas told Stavenhagen, adding that family members are also harassed when they cross the border
for visits.
Rivas said the severe deterioration of the O'odham way of life continues as their sacred holy places and burial sites are threatened by excavation projects and development. The holy places include Hodai Kuk (Puerto Penasco) on the northwest coast of mainland Mexico, where development closed access to the sacred sea.
For O'odham, the international border has physically divided O'odham communities in the United States and Mexico since the time of the Treaty of Guadalupe and the Gadsden Purchase in the late 1800s. Now, O'odham face increased militarization.
Rivas said the Tohono O'odham Nation in the United States has worked with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the U.S. Border Patrol. However, Rivas said Homeland Security and the Border Patrol harass O'odham and deprive them of their human rights, including their right to cross the border for religious purposes and ceremonies.
Seventy-four miles of the international border is O'odham territory.
''If your color is brown, then you are treated as an alien - that is how the O'odham are treated,'' Rivas said.
Referring to border and immigration officials, she said, ''There is increased violence; they have no idea who the O'odham people are.''
Rivas said several O'odham have been deported and killed by the Border Patrol. Further, she said O'odham who openly voice their concerns are ostracized and restricted services by the tribal government in the United States.
While 300 people from Mexico and other Latin American countries died attempting to cross the Arizona border into the United States last year, Rivas said the U.S. government has criminalized the act of giving a dying person a drink of water.
With desert temperatures reaching 120 degrees during summer months, Rivas said O'odham who offer water or help could be charged with aiding and abetting undocumented people.
After meeting with Stavenhagen in Tucson, Rivas said Stavenhagen responded favorably to their request for help locating legal assistance to protect their land base for O'odham.
Further, Stavenhagen supported the protection of O'odham sacred sites, and said he would document the reports of human rights abuses and forward those to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
BorderLinks, a human rights organization, helped make possible the travel and stay in Tucson for O'odham elders to meet with Stavenhagen.
However, Rivas said the University of Arizona did not respond to a request from the Cu:Wi I-gersk community for Stavenhagen to personally visit their community and tour the border area.
During Stavenhagen's previous visit to southern Arizona, O'odham informed him of a plan by a consortium of universities in Mexico to excavate the O'odham's sacred area at Quitovoc.
Rivas said through prayer and protest, the project was halted.
''Quitovoc is one of our most sacred sites: our most sacred ceremony is held there. It is a renewal ceremony for the entire universe - all of the animals, plants and people.
''The elderly believe [that] in conducting this ceremony we keep the balance of the universe. As O'odham, that is our responsibility, that is our mandate, the directive from our Creator.''
|
| |
|
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTE: The indiancountry.com website is designed to be and functions as a different entity than our print products. There are stories and features included in the print editions of the newspaper and magazines that are not included on the website. Likewise, there are features of the website that are not included in the print editions. Indian Country Today strives to provide many media options that will serve the different needs of different users. We hope that users find utility in several of our products, and we appreciate your continued support. |
|
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Statement.
© 1998 - 2007 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
